VA BIRDers,
It was nearly cold this morning at Dyke Marsh as a few gathered for the
regular Sunday morning stroll at one of Northern VA's fine birding
locations. We quickly found 2 young Bald Eagles - first and second year -
and an adult flying over the riverside mudflats in Hunting Creek Bay.
Later, an adult was seen flying to the Maryland (gads!) nest next to the
Wilson Bridge. We also found an adult Red-shouldered Hawk coursing through
the woods near the marina; probably a migrant as this species has no history
of breeding at Dyke. The lagoon nearby held Mallards, Lesser Scaup,
Bufflehead and Common Mergansers.
Passerines were hunkered down or in protective areas and yet we had fine
views of two different Gray Catbirds along Haul Rd and we heard two
different Eastern Towhees near those locations too. Common Grackles are
arriving as a small group had taken up in the trees near the beginning of
Haul Rd (a traditional spot for these breeders). Also, a few Red-winged
Black-birds had staked out dried cattails and marsh grasses and were
"kok-a-lee" ing frequently. Further down Haul Rd we met fine views of many
Song Sparrows and woodpeckers, but missed spotting the calling
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Both kinglets were noted with fine views of both.
Winter Wrens near the dogleg and the end of the boardwalk made a few
telegraph noises although we found two others quite vocal on the way back to
our cars about 100yds from the trail's beginning. The best highlight was
close up looks at a male and female Eastern Bluebird perched on a leaning
tree over the rocky beach, occasionally hawking something! This latter
species is seldom seen at Dyke as they are also not breeders and the habitat
is not correct.
Swamp Sparrows called from the marsh and a few posed on cattails. The
southern bay of the little gut held many Lesser Scaup, Common Mergansers,
Bufflehead, Mallards and a single Green-winged Teal; the latter was likely
frozen out of the marsh overnight. After the field trip I visited Hunting
Creek mudflats and added Killdeer to the day's list.
Kurt Gaskill
